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As
Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns does a brisk business of
Rs 13 crore in three days flat, you would expect its lead actor Jimmy
Sheirgill to be walking on cloud nine. But the reticent actor appears
immune, if not oblivious to his new-found star status. Fawning fans,
yes females, too don’t make him grin ear to ear.
No, he is neither embarrassed nor flattered by the attention he is getting after the success of Special 26 and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns. Instead, he lets the compliments sink in without letting these go to his head. Yes, the success of the film, more importantly the response to his role, has taken him by surprise. Indeed, it was a difficult role as he had to go an extra mile to ensure that his character of a wheelchair-bound Saheb didn’t become monotonous. But the way, the character has worked out, it has been vowing critics and audiences alike. For this, he gives credit to Tigmanshu Dhulia, the director, who is his all-time favourite to work with. Acting with the same
director, he says, works well. "Not only do you share a rapport
with the director but you also know what he wants and he understands
what you are capable of." So when Neeraj Pandey in whose film A
Wednesday, too, he had acted, decided to cast him in a crucial
role in Special 26, Jimmy was circumspect but Pandey knew he
could pull it off.
Jimmy is a director’s actor, who reposes full faith in the captain of the ship for drawing out the best in him. Among the wide range of roles he has played in his long "slow and steady" journey beginning with Maachis, the one in Yaahan is closest to his heart. In this film, he had played an Army officer. As a youngster living in Patiala, he aspired to join forces. What made him change his mind? One word answer ensues "destiny." Of course, it wasn’t providence that made him an actor but a year-and-half long training with Roshan Taneja’s acting school. Today as critical acclaim has become a habit, he is almost flippant: "I never read reviews. Anyway, critics, too, must be tired of writing about me." Sure success matters, for it changes the way people perceive you. But right now, he is keen on commercial success. Be it in Hindi films where he has experimented with his roles many a time or Punjabi cinema where he has turned a producer. A proud Punjabi, who has been closely associated with Punjabi films, he is only too happy with the new tidings in Punjabi tinseltown and quips, "It’s only the tip of iceberg. Audience for Punjabi cinema, spread all over India and the world, is huge and untapped." Ready with his latest
Punjabi venture Rangeelay, he aims to raise the bar and promote
Punjabi films worldwide. As for the content, the motto is quite simply
to entertain for, "Once we are able to give them the same quality
as Hindi cinema, we will begin experimentation."
As an actor, however, he will continue to challenge himself. On the anvil is Bullet Raja which he describes as a regular commercial film starring Saif Ali Khan with Tigmanshu’s stamp on it. Acting with superstars, he says, is not problematic. "No starry tantrums at all." While he regards Akshay Kumar highly, about Saif, he says, has a great sense of humour. In near future, Jimmy will be working on sequel of Tanu Weds Manu also. Is he in favour of sequels? He replies rather cryptically that it’s not his job to comment on the business of sequels but a call that directors and producers have to take. Nevertheless, he does think a trilogy of Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster won’t be a bad idea at all. He adds, "Now, audiences want it." Thrillers are his favourite genre. He enjoys doing negative roles as he feels these are more nuanced. He feels these allow the actor in him to flex his muscles much more. In real life, this family man, who takes time to open up with strangers, believes in the ‘live and let live’ dictum. On screen, however, he is ever-ready to smolder with delight and delighting viewers all the way.
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